How long do leftovers last in the fridge?
Current US federal guidance generally recommends using refrigerated cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days when they were handled properly and kept at 40°F / 4°C or below.
Use the 3–4 day window carefully
The 3–4 day guidance concerns supported cooked leftovers, not every food. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F / 4°C or below, and follow any more specific product instructions. A food’s type and handling can change the right advice.
Initial handling still matters
Refrigeration is not a reset button. If food was left out longer than the applicable federal limit before it went into the refrigerator, cooling it afterward does not make that earlier exposure safe. The checker asks about that initial time out before considering refrigerated storage.
This is US guidance: it does not use the UK two-day cooked-leftover rule or the UK 24-hour cooked-rice rule.
Next step
Use the checker when you know the food was a supported cooked leftover, how long it was out before refrigeration, how long it has been refrigerated, and whether the refrigerator was cold enough.
Check your refrigerated leftovers
Initial handling is unclear? Read how long leftovers can sit out under US guidance. Looking for UK guidance? Read our UK leftovers in the fridge guide.
Use the checker for your situation
This page explains general US federal guidance. Check your food using the relevant supported situation.
Sources and scope
Last checked: September 13, 2026.
This resource is based on United States federal guidance for the situations described. It does not replace the checker’s questions or food-specific storage instructions.